Today is Remembrance Day Nov. 11th, I hope for many it is a day to remember our history and all those who have been part of it. For it is all those people and events that have helped shape each and everyone of us. Even if we, like myself have never had the chance to meet my grandfather, he fought in the war in Germany, he never returned home, we were never able to discover if he was taken a prisoner of war, or died fighting. mother and Uncles and Aunts lived their lives, never knowing what happened to their husband, father. A man whose role in my life, an important part of who I am, and should have seen me sitting with many happy memories spent with my grandfather, instead, only stories shared by my mother and grandmother, which were few, it was to painful for them to talk about.
So I never had the opportunity to meet him, my grandmother and my mother and Uncles and Aunts lived their lives, never knowing what happened to their husband, father.
But on Remembrance Day and many other days throughout the year, I think about him, I wonder about him.
I think about all those men and women, who were mostly actually very young, maybe 18, many younger, who were not given a choice as to whether to fight or not, this was looked at as their responsibility to go fight for the benefit of all others. So I think about how many mothers went without watching their sons and daughters, grow into full adulthood, that never got to see their child have children of their own. I think about all the wives who never got to experience the joys of bringing children into the world with their husbands, to the women who never got the chance to marry. I think about all the brothers and sisters that went through life without their siblings. All those sacrifices so that you and I could enjoy our lives today.
We have recently been asked to take a vaccine for the greater good, a small cry to the sacrifices made by so many, a small ask when you put it into perspective of all those who gave so much more.
So for my grandfather and my uncle who spent years in a concentration camp, who despite is life altering injuries, went on to work, give to his community, help others, played a very very large roll in my life, who looked after my grandmother until her death. I remember, I shall always remember, I shall always think about your sacrifices when I am asked to make seemingly small ones. I shall always remember it is you who helped shape me and my family to be who we are today.
The second part of my blog today is two fold as well, there is to things happening that are of great importance to me, so I am showcasing them both here. Both of these Organizations, Dementia Alliance International and Dementia Advocacy Canada, are great examples of how working collaboratively can and does create is such a positive outcomes. It is one of my top asks/wants is to see more of this happen and I believe these two great Organizations are well on the way to showcasing to the world how doing this benefits all with Dementia.
For Dementia Advocacy Canada, this fund raiser will allow and finally see the Organization to become a registered Not for Profit, this is an important step as the Organization grows so it can continue all its important work here in Canada with all levels of Governments, to ensure Dementia gets the attention it deserves. So please take a read, donate if you can, volunteer your time if you can to one or both of these organizations, they both deserve our help. Become members, and if nothing else please share both of these events.
DAC LAUNCHES GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE FUTURE SUCCESS!
For over 2 years Dementia Advocacy Canada (DAC) has built membership across the country and operated as a true grass-roots organization with a volunteer team comprised of people with lived dementia experience and care partners. It has achieved remarkable success in influencing a Canadian Dementia Strategy, participating in relevant research studies , educating, informing and assisting individuals in navigating the healthcare system. It did this with no budget and relied entirely on volunteer goodwill.
In 2021 DAC undertook a strategic review and a branding exercise with external pro-bono consultants. The next logical step is to formalize and incorporate as a not-for-profit (NFP) organization. Funds are needed to cover legal fees, registration and start-up expenses. Once established as a NFP, DAC will be able to solicit funds for general and specific programs, with the ability to provide tax receipts for contributions.
But we have to start somewhere and that is why your initial financial support is requested through this GoFundMe campaign. Please help us establish DAC on a more solid foundation so as to better serve the needs of an ever-growing community. In his 2021 book, Neglected No More, Medical Globe & Mail journalist André Picard has painted a graphic picture of what awaits us if we do not act. The time is now!
The attached link to a GoFundMe campaign has been set up in order to finance these start-up activities.
Please review this request and contribute if you can, then circulate the link below, far and wide, to your networks to allow us to attain our modest goal of $5000 (unfortunately tax receipts are not possible with this platform)
DAC LAUNCHES GOFUNDME CAMPAIGN TO ENSURE FUTURE SUCCESS!
For over 2 years Dementia Advocacy Canada (DAC) has built membership across the country and operated as a true grass-roots organization with a volunteer team comprised of people with lived dementia experience and care partners. It has achieved remarkable success in influencing a Canadian Dementia Strategy, participating in relevant research studies , educating, informing and assisting individuals in navigating the healthcare system. It did this with no budget and relied entirely on volunteer goodwill.
In 2021 DAC undertook a strategic review and a branding exercise with external pro-bono consultants. The next logical step is to formalize and incorporate as a not-for-profit (NFP) organization. Funds are needed to cover legal fees, registration and start-up expenses. Once established as a NFP, DAC will be able to solicit funds for general and specific programs, with the ability to provide tax receipts for contributions.
But we have to start somewhere and that is why your initial financial support is requested through this GoFundMe campaign. Please help us establish DAC on a more solid foundation so as to better serve the needs of an ever-growing community. In his 2021 book, Neglected No More, Medical Globe & Mail journalist André Picard has painted a graphic picture of what awaits us if we do not act. The time is now!
The attached link to a GoFundMe campaign has been set up in order to finance these start-up activities.
Please review this request and contribute if you can, then circulate the link below, far and wide, to your networks to allow us to attain our modest goal of $5000 (unfortunately tax receipts are not possible with this platform)
This is the second piece of todays events. Dementia Alliance International as you likely know by know is the Organization that I credit with saving my life. They helped bring me through my darkest days, they helped me find hope and purpose once again. They still give and provide so much to my life, their peer to peer support groups are vital to so many, and having arms of the peer to peer support groups in so many countries helps ensure many more will have a place to find that hope, purpose and peers who can truly engage, share and learn from each other. I am thrilled to help with this newest arm, the DAI Canadian Social Support Group ( DAI-CSSG). Rose Ong and I will host this group and encourage others from across Canada to join and take part. It is free, but one of the best support groups for those living with Dementia.
I am also thrilled that this is another great example of two Organizations DAI and DAC working together to promote and engage people to take part. This will ensure so many who otherwise may not know of this great support group that they are not left at home. The sharing of this information is important. So please if you live in Canada, know of people living in Canada with Dementia, please have them join DAI and attend our free peer to peer support group. Also join DAC, membership is free as well, there is much both of these organizations can offer you, and who knows, you may find new hope and purpose and ways to help and engage, that will be fun, up lifting.
So again I encourage to take a look, donate, share, join, get involved, its time Dementia take a front seat here in Canada.
I hope in closing today, you have and take the time today to reflect to give thanks to those who have given so much and that you consider giving or yourself whether it be in donation of time or money, and to remember to be kind always.
Chrissy's Journey 